Updated 11.44
ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS has been sacked by Tottenham Hotspur.
The decision was taken “by mutual consent” after yesterday’s 5-0 loss against Liverpool, Spurs’ heaviest home defeat in 16 seasons.
Former England boss Fabio Capello has been installed by bookmakers as the early favourite for the job with Guus Hiddink and Michael Laudrup also linked with the North London club this morning.
Spurs said: “The club can announce that agreement has been reached with head coach, Andre Villas-Boas, for the termination of his services.
The decision was by mutual consent and in the interests of all parties.We wish Andre well for the future. We shall make a further announcement in due course.
Villas-Boas and his players were booed off the pitch yesterday as the home fans at White Hart Lane made their voices heard.
The result left Spurs in seventh place, five points outside the Champions League places and still two points better than defending champions Manchester United.
But in the wake of last month’s 6-0 humiliation against Manchester City, a second heavy defeat to a top four rival left Villas-Boas on the brink.
A £105 million summer transfer binge only added to the pressure on the Portuguese, who arrived at the club in July 2012.
Spurs finished fifth in his first season, narrowly missing out on a Champions League place to rivals Arsenal.
But when they cashed in on Gareth Bale, selling the Welsh star to Real Madrid for a world record fee in excess of £85 million, Villas-Boas faced the unenviable task of rebuilding without one of the world’s biggest names.
The bulk of that money was spent on four players — Spanish forward Roberto Soldado (£26 million), Erik Lamela (£26 million), Paulinho (£17 million) and Christian Eriksen (£11.5 million).
Three more summer signings — Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches and Nacer Chadli — took the spree above the £100 million mark.
After losing five times already this season, including the hammerings against City and Liverpool, the Spurs board have moved for a swift change.
Capello, Hiddink and Laudrup have all been linked as have club legends Glenn Hoddle and Tim Sherwood who could team up as a double act.
– First published 11.09
If he didn’t write it is it not just a biography?
@the druid: But they say it’s ‘written by Niall Kelly’, ergo it can’t by its very definition be an autobiography
@the druid: Sorry I sent that before your next message!
@COYBIG: it’s an autobiography because it’s written (or in this case ghostwritten) from his own point of view. If it was a biography it would be someone else’s description of his life.
@Stephen: Do ye seriously think sports stars all write their own books, word for word. If ye actually believe that, I’m afraid I’ve some bad news for ye about Santa Claus…
@Ewan Euphrenza: Ya you’re right, I was being pedantic
@Dermot Dooley: No Dermot, it is only an ‘autobiography’ if is self-written by Philly on his own.
@Martin Fahy: Autobiographies can, and very often are, ghostwritten. As in this case.
I live in Ballymun and have known Philly and his dad, Phil, for over 30 years. The bit of this excellent book that I like best [so far!] is where an opponent tried to rile him by saying “Your dad’s only a Provo”, to which Philly retorted “And what did your dad do in the troubles?” Advantage Philly!
@Sean Marlow: hahaha good one!!
Just another Dublin player cashing in ….
@Patrick j Brady: I see Kieran Donaghy was a previous winner and Gooch has a book out to top up the money that he earned from his testimonial dinner, which was expected to make 250K. What exactly is your point again?
@Patrick j Brady: Must be from Mayo.. The chap has 4 or 5 gyms, his own healthy eating company and a patent on a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine, wouldn’t say he’s “cashing in” you pratt.. great read. Fair play.
@Sean @114: Gooch gave his testimonial money to charity.
@Colin McCarthy: ‘part’ of it to charity , ‘Part’ of it to his club and the vast bulk of it to his accountant
@Patrick j Brady: would your bitterness stem from the fact no Meath player is worthy of a story to put in print
Fair play. He’s an ambitious fella
Really great book. Well done to Niall Kelly also, the ghost writing is superb. Some passages in it are absolutely haunting; the picture of what went on for young Philly and John is painted so well.
More than just a sports book.. a terrific read…heartbreakingly sad in parts but uplifting throughout
Not a fan of his but well done on the award